The state’s jobless
rate in February fell to 6.1 percent, from 6.4 percent in January, the
Indiana Department of Workforce Development reported on Friday.

“The number of
unemployed Hoosiers is less than 200,000 for the first time since August of
2008,” DWS said. “The unemployment rate has been on a downward slide so far
in 2014 while the labor force has expanded by nearly 14,000. Indiana's rate
is now more than one-half of a percentage point below the national rate for
the first time in a decade.”

In addition,
Indiana added 5,400 private-sector jobs in February and has grown more than
214,000 private-sector jobs since July 2009, the low point of employment in
the state.

“Indiana has had a
strong start to 2014 despite the harsh winter,” DWD Commissioner Scott
Sanders said. “Our unemployment rate is now the lowest it has been since
August of 2008 and our labor force has expanded by nearly 14,000 in two
months.”

Sanders noted that
initial claims for unemployment insurance in February were nearly 5,000
below February 2013 levels and are at their lowest levels in nearly 15
years.

Sectors showing
gains in February include leisure and hospitality (+2,200); construction
(+2,000); trade, transportation, and utilities (+1,400); and manufacturing
(+800).

Sectors showing
declines in February include private educational and health services (-800);
professional and business services (-600); and financial activities (-300).

Total non-farm
employment increased in February (+9,100).

Regionally, Locally

In Porter County
the seasonally unadjusted jobless rate in February increased by nearly half
a point, to 7.5 percent from 7.1 percent in January (9.0 percent in February
2013). Throughout Porter County 6,286 people were looking for work in
February, an increase of 7.5 percent over January (a decrease of 14.6
percent since February 2013).

In Lake County the
unemployment rate in February rose to 9.0 percent, from 8.7 percent in
January (11.1 percent in February 2013). In LaPorte County the unemployment
rate in February likewise rose, to 9.4 percent from 9.0 percent in January
(11.9 percent in February 2013).

In Chesterton the
unemployment rate in February inched up, to 6.9 percent from 6.7 percent in
January (8.4 percent in February 2013). A total of 475 people was looking
for work in February, an increase of 4.2 percent over January (a decrease of
15.6 percent since February 2013).

In Valparaiso the
unemployment rate in February spiked by fully half a point, to 6.3 percent
from 5.8 percent (8.2 percent in February 2013). A total of 1,009 people was
looking for work in February, an increase of 9.4 percent over January (a
decrease of 21.7 percent since February 2013).

In Portage the
unemployment rate in February also rose by half a point, to 8.9 percent from
8.4 percent (10.1 percent in February 2013). A total of 1,595 people was
looking for work in February, an increase of 7 percent over January (a
decrease of 10.5 percent since February 2013).

Unemployment rates
elsewhere in February:

* In Gary the
unemployment rate increased by nearly half a point, to 11.1 percent from
10.7 percent in January (14.5 percent in February 2013).

* In East Chicago
the unemployment rate rose marginally to 11.1 percent from 11.0 percent in
January (14.1 percent in February 2013).

* In Hammond the
unemployment rate slid up to 9.0, from 8.6 percent in January (11.5 percent
in February 2013).

* DWD data for
Michigan City and LaPorte appear to be corrupt.

Alternative
Measures

The official
national unemployment rate in February was 6.7 percent, down from 6.6
percent in January (8.1 percent in February 2013).

However--according
to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics--if “discouraged workers,” all other
“marginally attached workers,” and “total employed part-time for economic
reasons” are included in the tally, the unofficial unemployment rate in
February was 12.6 percent, down from 12.7 percent in January (14.9 percent
in February 2013).

“Marginally
attached workers” are those “who indicate that they want a job, have looked
for work in the last 12 months (or since the last time they worked, if they
worked in the last 12 months), and are available for work.”

“Discouraged
workers” are not currently looking for work for several reasons, including
their belief that no job is available to them in their line or in their
area.

“Persons employed
part-time for economic reasons” are those “who want and are available for
work but have had to settle for a part-time schedule.”